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Poster: Lou Davenport Date: May 11, 2014 12:08pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Best shows by member

Tom Constanten's best show was probably in summer 69. That anyway is when he was most ambitious in his playing, though one could argue whether or not it was successful. Maybe 8-30-69, but I'd have to listen to those shows again to make up my mind. For me, the best show in his era would be 2-28-69. Brian Wilson's best Dead show was 4-27-71. Phil had some very strong shows in 74-77 (6-9-76 for example), but I don't think he was on as consistently as 72-73, and of those two years I'd give the nod to 73. The November Winterland run was a pinnacle for the whole band, Donna's best shows were December 73.
This post was modified by Lou Davenport on 2014-05-11 19:08:23

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Poster: Dudley Dead Date: May 11, 2014 12:35pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Best shows by member

Hard task ! I think the band as a whole peaked in those 72-74 years . Everyones had a good sound, and Billy was a wonderful drummer one his own., and the band continued to be good for a while after Micky's rerun (though Keith started to go down hill ). I think Phil got really good by 69 , maybe even ahead of Jerry . Poor Donna ... As for Brain Wilson , he wasn't with the Beach Boys touring band in this period , so it would be Mike Love's best show ...
This post was modified by Dudley Dead on 2014-05-11 19:35:39

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Poster: Lou Davenport Date: May 12, 2014 8:35am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Best shows by member

I've been listening to a bunch of 68 recently, and I think Phil's already golden by then, with a totally unique take on the role of the bass guitar in a rock band.

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Poster: Dudley Dead Date: May 12, 2014 9:20am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Best shows by member

I totally agree . He was (is)so unique . One of the great joys of prime Grateful Dead listening is the dance/dialog between Jerry and Phil . Bob (another unique player) eventually becomes more a part of this . Also I like the rich tone he went for, those simi hollow body (Guild?) basses he used to play were a lot more musical than the thud of the usual rock Fender P Bass . As the 70's went on into the early 80's his musical presence in the band is not as upfront . Once he tames his demons, he began to reasserts him self . But,listening to some of the E72 shows, and then some of the Spring 90, one thing that stuck me is that, though I still like what he is playing, I don't find his "sound" to be that enjoyable . It is clean, which I imagine he like hearing better what he is playing, maybe more precise , but just feels a little cold . Same could be said of Weir's sound .
That 72 show sound, for example, is just like fine chocolate, good coffee (insert your own choice here !) , or whatever , The 90 sound seems a bit like some diet food, decaf or, something that looks good on the box, as says it is supposed to be good for you, ...but ...

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Poster: AltheaRose Date: May 11, 2014 6:17pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Best shows by member

> Donna's best shows were December 73.

Lou, on Mother's Day too?!?

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Poster: Lou Davenport Date: May 12, 2014 8:34am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Best shows by member

You're right--shame on me.